News Briefs

Sonny's BBQ  recently launched their mobile app and a new, app-exclusive rewards program as a part of their larger brand commitment to meeting the changing needs and priorities of their guests in today’s unique economic environment, offering deals while maintaining portion size, guest experience and product quality.

“We’re proud to offer guests new and convenient ways to get value from our Pitmaster-crafted BBQ menu,” said Peter Frey, chief brand officer at Sonny’s BBQ. “Our guests turn to us to make life easier, to savor each small moment and celebrate big occasions, and it’s our focus to meet them where they are - their phones, computers and their dining tables. That means continuously evolving how we connect  – not only by providing unprecedented value in today’s budget-conscious world, but also by offering digital solutions that will continue to meet our guests’ needs in this mobile era.”

To build their mobile app, Sonny’s BBQ partnered with Thanx, whose industry-leading technology is paving the way for guest engagement and loyalty solutions. The BBQ brand’s mobile app performance numbers indicate a desire from guests for additional convenient ways to engage with the brand that work with their lifestyle. Since its initial release in June, the mobile app has seen over 57,000 downloads and over 160,000 digital orders. With a notable 83% app cart conversion rate, over 20% higher than the brand’s current web conversion rate, as well as a 29% conversion rate from email subscribers, it remains evident that meeting consumers’ increasing desire for seamless mobile ordering experiences is crucial. 

• 82% of customers want to receive discounts from a hotel or restaurant loyalty program, according to HT's 2024 Customer Engagement Technology Study

“Bringing this mobile app and loyalty program to life has introduced yet another avenue to meet our guests where they are,” said Katie Love, director of brand management at Sonny’s BBQ. “We’ve put our digital transformation to the test in recent years by introducing new data-driven marketing initiatives, a new website with a streamlined user experience and a variety of guest-centric pick-up and ordering solutions, all while keeping that in-person connection and spirit  at the heart of the guest experience to ensure customer satisfaction.”

Guests who sign up for the brand’s updated loyalty rewards program can earn 10 points for every dollar spent and will receive $5 off an entree in their first app order upon sign-up. Points can be redeemed for unique offers as they accumulate.

To celebrate the launch of the new program, Sonny’s BBQ is offering even more value to their loyalty rewards program members with 2x points throughout September and exclusive weekly rewards.

The new mobile app and loyalty rewards program were both developed to respond to guest needs during a time where many are feeling additional pressure on their pocketbooks. These initiatives are just two of the programs the brand is putting in place to offer exceptional value. Sonny’s BBQ is currently offering a Daily Deals program with unique promotions every day, including All You Can Eat offers all weekend long, every week. 

Mark Shambura has joined Panera Bread as Chief Marketing Officer. Shambura will lead all aspects of marketing at Panera, including Brand Building, Digital & Loyalty, Product Strategy & Consumer Insights. An accomplished marketing leader with broad expertise in the restaurant industry, Mr. Shambura has previously held marketing leadership roles during pivotal growth periods for top brands including Chipotle, MOD Pizza, and most recently Papa Johns.

"Mark brings an impressive background building brands and leading marketing teams for fast-casual restaurants, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to Panera Bread,” said José Alberto Dueñas, Chief Executive Officer. “As Panera continues to evolve our brand, guided by listening to our guests, Mark’s depth of experience and ability will help drive our growth as a brand that serves great food you feel good about eating.”

Shambura previously served as CMO at Papa Johns, where he led a revitalization of the brand by enhancing its iconic “Better Ingredients, Better Pizza” platform, and developing a more modern, innovative omnichannel approach to transform how Papa Johns appealed to both new and loyal consumers. As Executive Director at Chipotle, Mr. Shambura guided the marketing function through periods of both sustained growth and transition, providing leadership over brand strategy, advertising, digital, social, events/sponsorships, promotions, and field marketing, including playing a key role in spearheading its “Real Ingredients” brand strategy.

“I’m proud to join the Panera Bread team and excited to build on the momentum of the brand's transformation as it continues to evolve in service of our guests,” Mr. Shambura said. “Panera propelled and cemented its position at the top of the fast casual restaurant segment through its promise of high-quality ingredients and freshly prepared food, and I’m thrilled to join a highly talented team to help shape its next chapter.”

Prior to his tenure in the restaurant industry, Mr. Shambura gained extensive marketing agency experience, working with a broad array of top global consumer brands for over a decade. Shambura will report directly to José Alberto Dueñas, Chief Executive Officer, and officially assumed the role of Chief Marketing Officer on July 29, 2024.

Thayer Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on technology innovation in travel and hospitality, and Derive Ventures, an early-stage investment firm dedicated to travel and hospitality, announced the formation of Thayer Investment Partners (TIP). The new platform will leverage the experience of both firm’s founding members to drive value for industry partners and invest in a new generation of innovative start-up companies. Thayer Ventures’ Chris Hemmeter and Derive’s founders Tyler Carrico and Mike Scott will serve as Managing Partners for the new platform, which expects to launch a new investment fund in the coming weeks. Lee Pillsbury, founder of Thayer Lodging Group, sold to Brookfield in 2014, and Managing Director of Thayer Ventures Funds, will continue his role as Managing Director. Previous funds launched by Thayer Ventures and Derive Ventures, respectively, will continue to be managed as they have been since inception; new funds will be managed under the combined TIP leadership. 

Chris Hemmeter, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Thayer Ventures and Managing Partner at TIP, said: “This is a transformative moment for Thayer’s portfolio companies, for our industry partners and for investors. Thayer and Derive are already the leading early-stage investors in travel and hospitality, together we are best positioned to capitalize on the next wave of innovation and leverage an expanded team to deliver maximum value to our industry partners. We are set to tackle a new era of innovation in travel, which includes the transformative development of AI, a radically rethought and reimagined booking funnel and the need to break down silos that continue to hold back progress toward seamless customer journeys and business efficiencies for travel providers.”

Hemmeter concluded, “We’re delighted to welcome back Tyler Carrico, who launched his investment career at Thayer Ventures 6 years ago, and to welcome his co-founder at Derive, Mike Scott, who brings travel investing experience from KSL Capital Partners. By adding Derive’s capabilities to Thayer Ventures, we deepen and expand Thayer’s reach even further through the new TIP platform. We are excited to build out the new platform with a robust team and unmatched record of investment success.”

Founded in 2009, Thayer Ventures invests in early-stage travel and hospitality. The firm has built the preeminent venture platform for entrepreneurs to leverage unequaled counsel from our experienced team, strategic LPs, industry-leading advisors and the entire Thayer portfolio ecosystem.

Mike Scott, Managing Partner at TIP, said: “We are thrilled to team up with Thayer Ventures to launch Thayer Investment Partners. The combined platform will bring an unmatched level of investing experience and strategic support to advance innovation in the travel industry. It will also reinforce our differentiated sector focused approach to producing best-in-class returns and providing the highest level of service to our industry partners.”

Derive Ventures, founded in 2022, is an early-stage venture fund investing in the next generation of hospitality, experiences and real estate; its mission is to bridge the gap between technology and travel by supporting entrepreneurs shaping the future.

Lee Pillsbury added, “I am happy to continue to serve Thayer Ventures and the industry to help accelerate even further the bounds of innovation for Strategic Partners and entrepreneurial early stage start-ups alike. The new Thayer Investment Partners platform represents the next evolution of our original vision for transforming travel technology into in an engine of growth and efficiency for hotel owners, brands and investors across the industry.”

SH Hotels & Resorts, the hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels & Homes, Baccarat Hotels & Residences, and Treehouse Hotels, is pleased to announce the promotion of two key leaders within the company. Shadi Omeish has been appointed Vice President of Operations in North America, and Milton Sgarbi has assumed the responsibilities of Regional Vice President of Operations and Special Projects at 1 Hotel South Beach.

Omeish, an award-winning hospitality leader with over two decades of international experience, will oversee and collaborate closely with general managers and VP at SH Hotels’ properties across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The portfolio currently includes eight operating 1 Hotels as well as Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York, with Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley set to open this year and several projects under development, including 1 Hotel Austin, 1 Hotel Seattle, and 1 Hotel & Homes San Miguel de Allende. A seasoned expert in luxury hospitality, Omeish has managed various SH Hotels & Resorts properties, consistently upholding the highest standards of operations and services. Since joining the company in 2016, he has served as General Manager at 1 Hotel South Beach and 1 Hotel West Hollywood, Area Managing Director West Coast, and most recently Regional Vice President West Coast.

“Shadi’s long tenure and contributions to the company are undeniable, and he has been an invaluable asset to the organization,” said Raul Leal, CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts. “His leadership and vision have been instrumental in driving the success of our properties on the West Coast. We are confident in his guidance through this period of growth for the company, ensuring our continued progress and innovation in new markets across North America.”

Sgarbi is a veteran of the industry with vast experience in hotel operations and new property openings. He reports directly to the CEO in his new role overseeing operations at 1 Hotel South Beach featuring 425 rooms, eight dining outlets, four pools, 600 linear feet of beachfront, a Bamford Spa, 14,000 sqft Anatomy Gym, Membership Club, 269 Branded Residences and two Homeowner Associations. He will also serve in a regional capacity over the immediate openings in Miami, including the upcoming Treehouse Hotel and Baccarat Hotel in Brickell, as well as other select hotels and projects in the future. Inspired by the vision of SH Hotels & Resorts Chairman Barry Sternlicht, Sgarbi collaborated on numerous projects across three continents, joining the company in 2016 with the opening of 1 Hotel South Beach, where he most recently served as VP of Operations.

“Milton's proven industry experience and profound understanding of each brand within the SH Hotels portfolio make him the perfect choice for this new role,” said Leal. “His knowledge of our brand values, combined with his commitment to excellence and ability to successfully launch and manage properties, will be crucial as we continue to expand. We look forward to his leadership in driving the success of our Miami operations and beyond.”

SH Hotels & Resorts is rapidly expanding across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific. In addition to its ten existing luxury, mission-driven 1 Hotel properties, the brand has several anticipated projects under development in Melbourne, Copenhagen, Seattle, Austin, Elounda Hills (Crete), Paris, San Miguel de Allende, Cabo, and Riyadh. Baccarat Hotels & Residences, known for its iconic, ultra-luxurious flagship in New York, is set to open new locations in Rome, Florence, Dubai, Riyadh, Brickell (Miami), and the Maldives. Following the success of Treehouse Hotel London, Treehouse Hotels will open properties in Silicon Valley and Manchester this year, offering guests a nostalgic experience filled with playful moments. Additional projects in Brickell (Miami), Adelaide, and Riyadh are also in the pipeline.

RoomPriceGenie, developer of an award-winning  revenue management solution for hotels, announced the launch of the free, online Revenue Management Content Library, which gives independent hotels the tools necessary to boost bookings and maximize revenue.

From the Content Library, hoteliers also have free access to the RoomPriceGenie Academy courses, offering 30+ comprehensive lessons about crucial revenue management topics, including dynamic pricing, revenue optimization and effective marketing strategies to drive more direct bookings, among many others. The RoomPriceGenie Academy was created by former revenue managers and hospitality industry experts to teach hoteliers how to develop and implement an effective revenue management strategy to help them maintain profitability, no matter how the market changes.

“The hotel industry, guest expectations, market supply and demand, and operational technologies have all evolved significantly in the last couple of years,” said Ari Andricopoulos, CEO of RoomPriceGenie. “Especially given the ongoing staff shortage, it can be tough for hoteliers to keep up with the best pricing practices necessary to remain profitable. Since creating our revenue management solution, I’ve been passionate about helping hoteliers earn more with less, and these free resources are a compilation of the best revenue management tips. In short, they’re everything that hoteliers need to remain competitive in today’s ever-changing, highly competitive market.”

The free RoomPriceGenie Revenue Management Content Library now includes:

●      Full access to the complete RoomPriceGenie Academy course

●      In-depth articles and how-to guides that cover all revenue management aspects, from “Revenue Management 101” to sophisticated revenue management strategies from long-time industry experts

●      Informative webinars with industry leaders discussing revenue management practices and sharing actionable insights for hoteliers to apply to increase bookings and revenue.

●      An updated glossary of hotel industry terms, recently updated with even more in-depth revenue management metrics and related pricing terms

●      An easy-to-follow tipsheet with step-by-step instructions on selecting the best RMS to meet your property’s specific needs

●      And much more!

The RoomPriceGenie Revenue Management Content Library and Academy courses are user-friendly and accessible for all hoteliers, no matter their prior level of revenue management knowledge. They ensure that all hotel owners and managers can easily find and utilize the information they need to maintain long-term profitability. 

To access the new Revenue Management Content Library and free RoomPriceGenie Academy courses, visit https://roompricegenie.com/content-library/.